Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Title: A Process for Cleanin~ Chlorinated Water and an
Apparatus Eor Carrvin~ Out the Process
Technical Field
The invention relates to a process for cleaning chlorinated
water, preferably in a swimming pool, by circulating the
water through a vessel while said water is irradiated by
5a plurality of UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave
length exceeding 300 nm. The invention relates furthermore
to an apparatus for carrying out the process.
Background Art
Danish Patent Specification No. 144,663 discloses a process
and an apparatus for cleaning chlorinated water, whereby
the water initially passes a plurality of heating units
and is subsequently irradiated by a number of VV radia-
tion lamps inter alia emitting light at a wave length
15exceeding 300 nm.
During late years increasing requirements have been pre-
sented ~o the treatment of water so as to reduce the amount
of bacteria, the inorganic pollution, and the occurrence
of chloroamines and trihalogen methanes.
Description of the Invention
It turned out that these requirements can be met by the
process according to the invention, said process being
characterised in that the water is irradiated by IFR radia-
tion lamps before it passes the UV radiation lamps emitting
25light at a wave length exceeding 300 nm, said IFR radiation
lamps emitting llght at a wave length in the range of 765
nm to lO~m, and that the water furthermGre is irradiated
both by UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length
in the range of 100 to 200 nm, and by VV radiation la ~
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emitting light at a wave length of 253.7 nm.
As a result a process is provided which ensures a strong
and fast extinction of bacteria, a disintegration of lumps
of bacteria, a fast and strong disintegration of chloro-
5 amines while liberating nitrogen, a fast and strong removalof trihalogen methanes, a reduction of the content of
organic material in the water, as well as an efficient
utilization of the electric energy for the radiation lamps.
The strong and fast extinction of the bacteria is partly
a consequence of the disintegration of the lumps of bac-
teria. Such lumps of bacteria result primarily from resi-
dues from the flocculation occurring in connection with a
mechanical filtration, from secretions and saliva of the
bathing persons, irom residues o:E coatings of biological
material getting loose in the pipe system or the filter,
as well as from growth of bacteria in the filter system.
The reduction of the water content of organic material
appears as lower values for COD (chemical oxygen consump-
tion) and TOC (total organic carbon).
20The use of the IFR radiation lamps of wave lengths in the
range of 765 nm to 10 ~m turned out to provide a far-reach-
ing radiation effect in the water and at the same time the
electric energy used is well converted into heat in the
water. Tests have for instance shown that 96~ o~ the elec-
25tric energy are converted into heat.
The water is according to the invention particularly ad-
vantageously passed alternately several times past the
IFR radiation lamp.s and the UV radiation lamps emitting
light at a wave length exceeding 300 nm.
30The process according to the invention may urthermore be
characterised by continuously irradiating the water by UV
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radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length in the
range of 100-200 nm. In this manner certainty is obtained
that the a'oility of the preceding lamps to disintegrate
lumps of bacteria is completely utilised before the bac-
5 teria are sub~ected to the particularly bactericidal wavelength of 253.7 nm.
The invention deals furthermore with an apparatus Eor
cleaning chlorinated water and comprising a first vessel,
in which the water passes from an inlet to an outlet,
lO both the inlet and the outlet being connected to the pool,
and whereby the vessel is provided with at least one UV
radiation lamp emitting light at a wave length exceeding
300 nm. This apparatus is according to the invention char-
acterised in that the vessel further comprises at least
15 one IFR radiation lamp emitting light at a wave length in
the range of 765 nm to lO ~m, the IFR radiation lamp being
situated in front of the UV radiation lamp in the flow
direction, that the vessel further comprises at least one
UV radiation lamp emitting light at a wave length in the
20 range of 100-200 nm, and that UV radiation lamps emitting
light at a wave length of 253.7 nm are provided in connec-
tion with the vessel and preferably in a separate second
vessel situated after the first vessel in the flow direc-
tion..
25 As a result a particularly advantageously operating appa-
ratus Eor carrying out the process is obtained. It turned
out that the apparatus inter alia ensured the effects in
question and at the same time the necessary consumption
of chlorine was reduced.
30 Brief Description of the Drawin~s
The invention will be described below with refer~nce to
the accompanying drawing, in which
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Fig. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an
apparatus according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a graphic view showing the effect versus the
5 time oE the apparatus on colibacteria when various radia--
tion lamps are coupled, and
Fig. 4 is a graphic view showing in two different operation
states the measurements of the amount of bond chlorine at
the inlet and outlet, respectively, of the apparatus.
10 Description of the Preferred Embodiments of_the_Invention
The apparatus according to the invention shown in Figs. 1
and 2 comprises a first vessel 1 and a second vessel 2
situated successively in a pipe system in the flow direc-
tion of the water. This pipe system extends from an inlet
153 to an outlet 4 via a pump 5 and the two vessels l and
2. As illustrated the water flows into the bottom of the
first vessel 1 and then upwards into the top o~ said first
vessel. Subsequently, the water flows into the top of the
second vessel 2 through a connecting piece 6 and then
20downwards and out at the bottom to the outlet 4 through a
pipe 7.
The first vessel 1 is provided with a number of IFR radia-
tion lamps (infrared radiation lamps) 8 situated above
one another so as to extend radially in a manner not de-
scribed more d~tailed into the vessel transverse to the
flow direction of the water. T`hese IFR radiation lamps
emit light at a wave length in the range of 765 nm to 10
~m. UV radiation lamps ~ are correspondingly provided,
said lamps projecting radially inwards and emitting light
30 at a wave length exceeding 300 nm. Thus the UV radiation
lamps extend transverse to the flow direction of tha water
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too.
The first vessel 1 is furthermore provided with a plurality
of UV radiation lamps 10 emitting light at a wave length
in the range 100 to 200 nm. These UV radiation lamps 10
5are mounted in the top of the first vessel 1 and extend
axially downwards in a manner not described more detailed
through the vessel 1 to the immediate vicinity of the
bottom thereof. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the UV radiation
lamps 10 are substantially equally spaced from the central
lOaxis o~ the round cylindrical vessel 1.
In the top of the second vessel 2 a plurality of UV radia-
tion lamps 11 are mounted, said lamps emitting light at a
wave length of 253.7 nm. These UV radiation lamps 11 extend
axially downwards through the second vessel 2 to the imme-
15 diate vicinity of the bottom thereo~ and are circled aboutthe axis thereof. FurtherMore a single lamp extending
coaxially with the axis of the vessel 2 is provided.
In the shown preferred embodiment of the invention the
two vessels l and 2 are of a diame~er of about 30 cm and
ao a height of about 1 m. The latter implies that the radia-
tion lamps 8 and 9 are of a length of about 30 cm, and
the radiation lamps lO and 11 are of a length of about 1
m. By this apparatus the water is initially pumped by
means of the pump 5 through the vessel 1 and subsequently
~5 through the vessel 2 at the same time as it passes alter-
nately the IFR radiation lamps emitting light at a wave
length in the range 765 nm to 10 ~m and the UV radiation
lamps emitting light at a wave length exceeding 300 nm.
~t the ~same time the water is continuously irradiated by
30 the UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length in
the range 100 nm to 200 nm. Upon this irradiation the
water flows through the connecting piece 6 into the second
vessel 2, where it is sub~ected to a strong radiation by
the UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length of
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2 5 3.7 nm.
In order to illustrate the effects of the apparatus a
number of tests employing various sets of lamps have been
carried out. These tests revealed a water flow of the
5 following values measured at the inlet of the apparatus:
pH = 7.2
Free chlorine = 0.6 mg/l
Bound chlorine = 0.2 mg/l
The flow velocity of the water = 24 m3/h
lO Flow period = 40 sec.
Below a number of tests A-E has been described in greater
details, the two first A and B being comparison tests em-
ploying equipment with the same starting data as mentioned
abo~e.
lS Test A
The water was filtrated through a "Millipore" filter of the
type HA 0.45 ~m.
The amount of germs at 21C was determined by agar plate
counting and incubation for 72 hours. The amount of germs
20 at 37DC was determined on blood agar (53D calf blood) and
incubation at 37C for 24 hours.
Eosinmethylene blue agar (EMB) incubated at 37C for 24
hours was used for the test for coliform bacteria. Suspect
colonies on EMB were examined in McConkey bouillon, partly
25 at 37C and partly at 44C for possible development of
acid and air.
Cetrimid agar incubated at 42C for 72 hours was used for
the test for Ps aeroginosa.
1 3 ~ ~ ~ 2 ~
At the inlet of this apparatus between 50 and 200 bacte-
ria/100 ml were measured, and at the outlet of the appara-
tus between 5 and 10 bacteria/100 ml were measured.
Test B
5 For this test an apparatus like the one described in the
above Danish Patent Specification No. 144,663 was used,
but the UV radiation lamps emitting light at wave lengths
exceeding 300 nm and of 253.7 nm being turned off. Thus
only the heating units were turned on.
lO At the inlet of this apparatus between 50 and 200 bacte-
ria/100 ml were measured, and at the outlet of the appara-
tus between 50 and 200 bacteria/100 ml were measured.
Test C
In an apparatus like the one shown in Figs. 1 and 2 only
15 the IFR radiation lamps emitting light at wave lengths in
the range 765 nm to 10 ~m were turned on.
At the inlet of this apparatus be~ween 100 and 200 hacte-
ria/100 ml were measured, and at the outlet of the appara-
tus an overgrowth of bacteria corresponding to an uncount-
20 able number of bacteria/100 ml were measured.
Tes~ D ?
In the sa~e apparatus the following lamps were turned on:
1. IFR radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length in
the range 765 nm to 10 ~m.
25 2. An UV radiation lamp emitting light at a wave length
of 253.7 nm.
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At the inlet of this apparatus between 50 and 200 bacte-
ria/100 ml were measured, and at the outlet of the appara-
tus between 300 and 500 bacteria/100 ml were measured.
The above perhaps surprising rise in number of bacteria
5 is not due to an actual growth but on the contrary to a
strong disintegration of lumps of bacteria by the IFR
radiation lamps. If the content of chlorine was consider-
ably increased the bacteria would be extinguished but a
number of negative effects arises as a consequence of the
lO rise of allergy-causing and noxious organic chlorine com-
pounds.
Test E
In the apparatus the following lamps were turned on:
1. The IFR radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length
15 in the range 765 nm to 10 ~m.
2. UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length in
the range 100 and 200 nm.
3. UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length
exceeding 300 nm.
20 4. UV radiation lamps emitting light at a wave length of
253.7 nm.
At the inlet of this apparatus between 50 and 200 bacte-
ria/100 ml were measured, and at the outlat of the appara-
tus almost 0 bacteria/100 ml were measured.
25 By the apparatus according to the invention less chlorine
was added but the same electric energy was used, and a
total extinction of germs was obtained unlike other tests.
An essential feature is that by using IFR radiation lamps
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emitting light at a wave length in the range 765 nm to 10
~m instead of heating units like the apparatus of the
above Danish Patent Specification, a very far-reaching
radiation effect was obtained in the water at the same
time as the electric energy used was converted into heat
in the water. By a controlled test of 1 m3 water an energy
absorption of g6~ was measured.
Fig. 3 is a graphic view resulting from tests on the appa-
ratus and showing the effect of the apparatus on water
lO containing a predetermined amount of colibacteria through
addition of such bacteria. Thus the various curves show
the amount of colibacteria/ml water as funotion of the
ti;ne upon starting of the apparatus. Each curve shows the
apparatus in the following operation phases, the water at
15 the inlet containing 0.06 mg of free chlorine~l (HOCl+OCl-
at pH 7.2):
1. All the lamps of the apparatus were turned on.
2. The UV radiation lamps 10 emitting light at a wave
length in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm were turned off
20 while all the other lamps were turned on.
3. Only the UV radiation lamp 11 was turned on.
4. All the lamps were turned off and instead the addition
of cblorine was increased to such an extent that the amount
of free chlorine was 3 mg of free chlorine (HOCl+OCl- at
25 pH 7.2)/1.
S. Only the UV radiation lamp emitting light at a wave
length in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm was turned on, and
6. only the IF'R radiation lamp 8 emitting light at a
wave length in the range of 765 nm to 10 ~m was turned on.
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A conventional chlorination of usual bathing water implies
that after a reaction period of 10 min. the so-called
"break-point" is reached at an administration of 12 parts
by weight of chlorine to l part by weight of ammonia (con-
5 si.dered to be nitrogen). ~hen the same type of bathingwater furthermore is irradiated in accordance with the
process of the invention, the "break-point" is reached
already after 40 sec. at an administration of only 6 parts
by weight to 1 part by weight of ammonia (considered to
lO be nitrogen). The necessary period of 40 sec. corresponds
to a passage through the apparatus. This result is only
obtained provided all the lamps are turned on, whereas a
turning off of merely one or more types of lamps implies
that the apparatus has no effsct at all.
Fig. 4 is a graphic view showing measurements of the amount
of bound chlorine at the inlet (the X-a~is) of the appara-
tus and the outlet (the Y-axis) of the apparatus at various
starting amounts. The two sets of measurements illustrate
two operation phases of the apparatus:
20 1. Only the UV radiation lamps 9 and 10 emitting light
at wave lengths exceeding 300 nm and of 253.7 nm, respec-
tively, were turned on.
2. All the radiation lamps of the apparatus were turned
on.
~5 These tests show that the apparatus ensures a considerable
reduction of the amount of bound chlorine and consequently
a strong decomposition of for lnstance chloroamines into
nitrogen and hydrochloric acid.
By the use of the process and the apparatus according to
30 the invention in connection with swimming pools a consider-
able reduction of the content of trihalogen methanes, a
lower amount of potassium permanganate, and a lower TOC
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value have been dsmonstrated. As far as for instance tri-
halogen methanes are concerned tests with all the lamps
turned on have shown a considerable reduction, whereas
only a variation in production of trihalogen methanes
5 appears when other combinations of lamps turned on are
used. The good effect is presumably due to a correlation
between the extensive removal of organic material and
di~sintegration of for instance chloroform. A test measuring
on the apparatus revealed the following values:
10 Trihalogen methane inlet 187 ~g/l
outlet 0 ~g/l
KMnO4 inlet 8.38 mg/l
outlet 1.93 mg/l
TOC inlet ~.28 mg/l
outlet 1.05 mg/l
FTU* inlet 0.25
outlet 0.25
*FTU (formazine turbidity units) is a turbidity measuring
measured by the amount of formazine added to completely
~O pure crystal-clear water until water of the same turbidity
like the bathing watex is obtained.
The invention has been described with reference to a pre-
~erred embodimen~. Many modi~ications may, however, be
carried out without thereby deviating from the scope of
25 protection. According to a preferred embodiment the IFR
radiation lamps are used as a 35 Q resistance in the elec-
tric circuit including the UV radiation lamps emitting
light at a wave length exceeding 300 nm. As a result an
economically advantageous control of the UV radiation
30 lamps in question is ensured.
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